We finally have some signs of life for the eventual rollout of online gambling in Pennsylvania later this year.

What’s new in PA for online gambling?

The PA Gaming Control Board made applications related to online gambling available on its website this week for the first time.

The state passed a gaming expansion in the fall of last year that legalized online casinos and poker. But, to date, progress on the logistics of the launch of either product in the state has been behind the scenes.

Visitors to the PGCB looking for applications are greeted with this notice:

Applications for Interactive Gaming Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Interactive Gaming Service providers will be accepted April 2, 2018.

PLEASE NOTE: The date for acceptance of Interactive Gaming Platform Provider applications will be posted at a future time.

That appears to be anyone that will be involved in the technology side of providing online casinos or poker for the licensees in the state.

The core application is nearly 60 pages. There are also supporting documents that some applicants must fill out.

The PA online gambling clock has at least started

Now we know, at least, that anyone possibly involved in the market will be able to submit applications in less than two months. After that, presumably, the PGCB will get to work vetting the applications and approving. That’s a process that could still take months.

We are still waiting to know which casinos will purchase which licenses to operate in the state.

There are up to 13 online casino licenses and 13 online poker licenses available in the state, which can be purchased initially by existing gaming licensees separately or as part of a package. (The number 13 comes from the state’s 12 existing casinos and a new one that will be built in Philadelphia.)

If existing casinos don’t buy up all the licenses, they will be made available to other entities.

Dustin Gouker :Dustin Gouker has been a sports journalist for more than 15 years, working as a reporter, editor and designer -- including stops at The Washington Post and the D.C. Examiner. He has played poker recreationally for his entire adult life and has written about poker since 2008.